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Missing 'Empire' Actress Jaida Benjamin Found Safe After Mysterious Disappearance

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Source: Jaida-Iman Benjamin/Facebook

Feb. 22 2022, Published 10:41 a.m. ET

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Previously missing Empire and Family Reunion actress Jaida Benjamin has been found safe.

The 27-year-old had been missing since Saturday, February 19, after being last spotted on Ventura Boulevard in Southern California's San Fernando Valley at around 6:30 PM.

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The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that Benjamin was located two-and-a-half days later in Studio City on Tuesday, February 22, at around 2:30 AM.

The spot where she was found is only a few blocks away from where she was last seen.

At this time, no details about her disappearance or reappearance have been released.

It's also unclear how the actress was found and in what condition. The LAPD noted that there is no evidence of foul play at this time.

Jaida is now back with her family.

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Source: Jaida-Iman Benjamin/Facebook
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Over the weekend, The Walking Dead star Vincent M. Ward shared the digital missing person flyer, altering his Instagram followers of Benjamin's disappearance.

"Yoooo if you're in Los Angeles and you see this young lady please call the number," he urged in the caption. "Jaida has played my daughter and Ive worked with her a number of times.. California friends and family, PLEASE SHARE!"

What's interesting is that Ward added a "note" to the end of his caption, claiming that Benjamin was "bipolar" and "schizophrenic."

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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a "mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks."

The NIMH defines schizophrenia as a "serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality, which causes significant distress for the individual, their family members, and friends. If left untreated, the symptoms of schizophrenia can be persistent and disabling."

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Source: Jaida-Iman Benjamin/Facebook
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Jaida's mother, JoCinda, spent the last several days posting her own pleas to Instagram but did not mention her daughter's mental health.

"My baby is missing please help me find her," she begged. "I can't breathe."

The actress' aunt, Jihan Johnston, also tweeted about her disappearance, posting, "My niece is such a beautiful being.. very talented and a well known actress.. please repost .. ughhh this s--t hurts!"

Jaida's disappearance came weeks after she and her mother announced that they would be taking a "hiatus" from the entertainment industry.

Jaida is widely recognized for playing Kelly on Family Reunion. She has also appeared on Criminal Minds.

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